Girls' fastpitch softball teams from throughout the country have traveled to Chattanooga for this week's Amateur Softball Association 16-under national tournament. But only one covered six time zones.
The Island Athletes left Hawaii on July 27. Between flight and drive time it took 10 hours to reach their destination, but they're here continuing their string of competing in ASA nationals.
They qualified first in 10-under in Johnson City, Tenn., so this trip hasn't been a culture shock for them.
"We eat grits, cream of wheat, hamburger gravy. I had some this morning," Athletes coach Zack Docktor said earlier this week.
When asked what he thought about the weather, "Terrible," was the first word out of his mouth.
"It's hot and humid," Docktor said. "It's hot at home, but we have a lot of clouds and tradewinds. The ocean's right next to everything."
The Athletes qualified for the ASA nationals by winning their state tournament. Docktor's daughter, Tasi, who plays third base, said softball at home is different than for the teams on the mainland.
"It's not as big as over here," she said. "We pretty much play the same teams about four or five times a summer."
Coach Docktor's niece, Keiki, is a pitcher and the daughter of assistant coach Steve Carlos. She said Hawaii's low number of teams doesn't mean the level of play isn't good.
"It's hard for Hawaii girls to get exposure," Keiki said. "There's not as many college coaches, but there's a lot of talent at home."
There are some colleges in the islands with softball teams, but the University of Hawaii is the only NCAA Division I program.
Getting the opportunity to play in a tournament the magnitude of the ASA 16-under national - one that attracts several college coaches, especially Division I - is invaluable for the Athletes. That's provided a potential signee is willing to attend school a few time zones away and in a different culture, which Coach Docktor said many are willing to consider.
Last summer Tasi and Keiki began getting some exposure to college coaches as members of California's San Jose Sting. The team arranged for families to house them.
"We got to see how it would feel playing away from home," Keiki said.
Said Tasi: "It was a good experience."
All the exposure is nice, but the real reason the Athletes are glad to be in Chattanooga this week is to compete for a national championship. Their previous best finish in an ASA national was fourth in 12-under in Portland, Ore.
Tasi said the key for the Athletes is to be confident and have faith in each other. Coach Docktor refers to the islands as the "Land of Love," and the islanders would love to see them bring a title back.
"We need to pick each other up," Keiki said, "and just bring it home for everyone."
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653.